Chapter Two

Alex

“You are both advised to go through the contract and understand every phrase.” My lawyer said, and I looked up at his face before looking at Leslie, who was seated on the seat across the table.

“Here, Miss Brook,” the lawyer said. “Mr Cassel.” he handed me some papers as well.

“Shouldn’t there be a change in the name already? Mrs Cassel, not Miss Brook?”

“You would have to go through the contract, Mr Cassel. I have prepared the contract in a way that doesn’t contradict anyone’s preference while still upholding its authenticity.”

“Arghh!” I grunted before glancing at Leslie who was busy scrolling her eyes through the pieces of paper.

I decided to do the same, going through every line when she suddenly voiced out.

“It says here that I cannot withdraw from the contract before the stated date,”

“Yes, please. The contract cannot be terminated unless the period of two months has been concluded.”

“That seems very limiting,”

“Do you have a problem with that, Shayla?”

“I do. Obviously. What if you act as an asshole and I am unable to keep up with that?”

“Mind your words, honey. I am still your boss,” I retorted and she glared at me.

“Please…please. There’s no need to be so hard. The contract is quite flexible. It can be adjusted if need be.”

“No. I think we are fine with this,” I locked eyes with her, daring for her to contradict me but she said no words.

“Is that true, Miss Brook?”

“Mrs Cassel,”

“Unless the contract is signed and a declaration is made that you two have been married, I’m afraid she has the right to keep her name.” My lawyer interjected and I am beginning to think he isn’t for me.

I rested my index finger on my temple before finally nodding.

“Fine.”

“Are you okay with this, Miss Brook?” the lawyer repeated and Leslie hesitated a bit before finally replying.

“I think it's good enough,” she replied and I scoffed.

After we had signed the whole paper, penning our signatures in the appropriate places, we shook hands, and I gave her a smile, which she didn’t return.

“If I must add, you two need to begin to give appearances as soon as possible. You need to be seen together in places and events; you need to be seen shopping and fine dining. You need to be seen together often to make the media believe that you are engaged, otherwise, it would seem like a stunt and the likelihood of your partnership with the proposed company would be weak,”

“I believe she understands how this works,”

“How would you know that? You think I go about getting contracted to men?”

I leaned forward in my seat, locking my intertwined fingers together but the lawyer spoke before I did.

“Do we have a problem here?” the lawyer asked.

The son of a… is acting way too professional as my lawyer and it was starting to piss me off.

“Do we?” I tilted my head in her direction and she glared at me before finally responding.

“We do not have a problem.”

“Oh, good. With that, I would take my leave,”

The lawyer left with a copy of the contract, leaving just Leslie and I.

The contract seems like the beginning of a new thing between us. It was as though we had never worked together way before now. Like we had not met before this whole office meeting.

The tension between us rose and while my eyes would not leave hers, her eyes were everywhere but on me.

So, I decided to break the silence. “Do you have a problem with me, Shayla?”

She looked at me briefly before swiftly looking away. Talk more of a person who seemed quite confident while the lawyer was here.

“No…no. But…”

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

“Why do you call me Shayla? I have a name, you know.”

“Leslie just seems like a combination of two annoying words,”

“What are those words?”

“Less and a lie. I wouldn't want the basis of our relationship to stand on a lie nor you feeling less.”

She gasped.

She furrowed her eyebrow, trying to understand what I had just said but a knock sounded on the door.

My PA walked in with some files in hand.

“Sir, the car is ready, and here are the files you requested. An application has been sent to the Herdersons Inc., and a response has been sent from their representative,” she explained, looking over at Leslie, who was trying so hard not to meet her gaze.

As I stretched my hand out to get the files, I spoke. “Do you have a problem, Helen?” I asked and she quickly looked away, hurrying over to me with the files.

“No, sir.”

I nodded. “You may leave.” she hesitated a bit, giving Leslie a second glance before she walked out of the office.

“The car is ready, Shayla. We can leave now.”

“Leave? Where are we going? Also, do we have to leave at the same time? The stares have started you know,”

“Uhmm…you heard the lawyer. We need to be seen outside often. Also, we’re going shopping. If you will be my woman, you have to look it.”

She got up hastily. “What’s wrong with me?” she asked, turning around, giving a 360.

I lowered my eyes to her backside, which seemed so plump from the last time I stared at them. I could think of tons of things I could do to them.

She cleared her throat and I quickly raised my eyes to her face.

“Let’s go,” I said instead, grabbing my sunshade before getting up from the seat.

She rolled her eyes at me before grabbing her purse.

“After you,” I said. I wasn’t willing to deprive myself of a great view. She swallowed hard first before walking in front of me.

As she pulled the door open, she stopped in her tracks, before staring back at me.

“What?” I asked before reaching the doorway only to find Mayla standing with a daring stare.

“She is the new whore?”